Neurologist

What you need to know

Overview

Neurologists are doctors who are specialists in diseases and conditions of the nervous system, such as strokes, epilepsy, pain management, or movement disorders.

What is this career like?

Many neurologists work long, irregular, and overnight hours. Neurologists may travel between their offices and hospitals to care for their patients. While on call, they may need to address a patient’s concerns over the phone or make an emergency visit to a hospital or nursing home.

Some of the things a neurologist might do:

Interview and examine patients with neurological disorders

Update charts and patient information to show current findings and treatments

Order tests for healthcare staff to perform such as brain scans, MRIs, ultrasound imaging, or genetic testing

Review test results to identify any abnormal findings

Recommend and design a plan of treatment

Address concerns or answer questions that patients have about their health and well-being

Help patients take care of their health by discussing topics such as proper nutrition and hygiene

What skills are needed?

Communication skills: Neurologists need to be excellent communicators. They must communicate effectively with their patients and other healthcare support staff.

Compassion: Patients who are sick or injured may be in extreme pain or distress. Neurologists must treat patients and their families with compassion and understanding.

Detail oriented: Patients must receive appropriate treatment and medications. Neurologists must accurately monitor and record various pieces of information related to patient care.

Dexterity: Neurologists may work with very precise and sometimes sharp tools, and mistakes can have serious consequences.

Leadership skills: Neurologists who work in their own practice must manage a staff of other professionals.

Organizational skills: Good recordkeeping and other organizational skills are critical in both medical and business settings.

Patience. Neurologists may work for long periods with patients who need special attention: Persons who fear medical treatment may require more patience.

Physical stamina: Neurologists should be comfortable lifting or turning disabled patients, or performing other physical tasks.

Problem-solving skills: Neurologists need to evaluate patients’ symptoms and administer the appropriate treatments. They need to do this quickly if a patient’s life is threatened.

What is the pay?

The average pay for neurologists in the United States is approximately $249,000 according to an annual Medscape survey.

The specific pay depends on factors such as level of experience, education and training, geographic location, and specific industry.

What is the career outlook?

Overall employment of all physicians and surgeons, including neurologists, is projected to grow 15 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations.

Prospects should be especially good for neurologists who are willing to practice in rural and low-income areas, because these areas tend to have difficulty attracting physicians.

What education is required?

Neurologists typically need a bachelor’s degree, a degree from a medical school, which takes 4 years to complete, and, 3 to 7 years in internship and residency programs.

Medical schools are highly competitive. Most applicants must submit transcripts, scores from the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and letters of recommendation. Schools also consider an applicant’s personality, leadership qualities, and participation in extracurricular activities. Most schools require applicants to interview with members of the admissions committee.

Students spend most of the first 2 years of medical school in laboratories and classrooms, taking courses such as anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology, psychology, medical ethics, and in the laws governing medicine. They also gain practical skills; learning to take medical histories, examine patients, and diagnose illnesses.

During their last 2 years, medical students work with patients under the supervision of experienced physicians in hospitals and clinics. Through rotations in internal medicine, family practice, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgery, they gain experience in diagnosing and treating illnesses in a variety of areas.